LAAM, a tech-enabled South Asian fashion marketplace, has closed $5.5M in seed funding. Zayn VC and Disrupt.com co-led the round with participation from Graph Ventures and Mentors Fund. Angel investors from companies like Oracle, Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce also invested in the round.
Founded in 2021 by Arif Iqbal, the platform currently offers a curated catalog of over 100,000 items from more than 1,000 brands. According to its press statement, the company has already established a significant international presence, with sales spanning 100+ countries. Its top five markets include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
“At LAAM, we’re combining cutting-edge tech with the timeless appeal of South Asian craftsmanship,” said Arif Iqbal. “This funding empowers us to scale our platform, enhance our AI-driven discovery and logistics capabilities, and continue empowering local sellers to thrive in the digital age.”
Leveraging this investment, LAAM aims to elevate the visibility of regional artisans, presenting their exceptional ethnic fashion designs to a global audience. Aaqib Gadit, Founding Partner at Disrupt.com, said, “We are excited about the massive opportunity LAAM aims to unlock. Their exceptional team, robust technology stack, and focus on customer obsession will propel them to new heights.”
Beyond its marketplace, LAAM has developed Octane, a proprietary technology platform. It currently supports over 50 businesses in establishing their online presence and expanding globally.
Faisal Aftab, General Partner & Founder at Zayn VC commented: “LAAM’s ability to elevate South Asian fashion onto the global stage while empowering local artisans and sellers is commendable. We believe LAAM has a unique opportunity to transform how South Asian fashion is perceived and accessed globally. We’re proud to support their journey”.
